The prestigious award, was received by PCs Stephen Fletcher and Rory Stuart-Knill after they were set upon during the riots in 2011 while patrolling Coventry in a marked police car.

The pair were confronted by a group of around 40 hooded and masked men who started throwing missiles.

The officers responded to reports of people in a car wearing facemasks Credit: West Midlands Police

After their vehicle was barraged with petrol bombs and an axe they eventually managed to escape before arresting two men seen leaving the scene of the incident, who the officers recognised from the group.